Women call your mothers and your girlfriends; men pass it
on to the guys, wives sit down with your husbands on a quiet Sunday evening.
One and all, its time to take a dose of the "Love Doctor's" potions and
remedies for the illnesses that plague your love lives.
"His Way Works," a compilation book of the of New Orleans
Data News-weekly's, "Love Doctor" column, Lloyd Dennis has medicinal words
to heal every sickness out there in lover's land. It is enough to bring out
the "Oohs" and "Aahs," raise many an eyebrow and send tele-phone lines
ringing as readers pass on the witty advice of the New Orleans "Love
Doctor".
The compilation book is not another long list of
irrelevant advice to keep the sparkle in lovers' eyes. If it does nothing to
change the way one behaves in a relationship, the book certainly puts the
brain in overdrive thinking and better understanding the struggles of his or
her relationship.
Dennis, who also airs a radio talk show on WODT 1280AM in
New Orleans, selected some of what he considered his best columns of over
600 written for the last thirteen years. Faithful column readers can now
toss aside crumbled clippings of their favorite columns for the keep-sake
book and for those who missed some of the more riveting columns now have a
chance to do some back reading.
With, self-assured 100 percent effectiveness of
his advice after basing all his conclusions on his own marital success of
over 30 years, this confident "Love Doctor" who refers to himself in the
third person, is positive that his wise words can save many a troubled
relationship. One can also trace the columnist's growth from the more frank
commentary of his early marriage and parental writing years, to the more
rational expounding as a grandfather today.
The home-style delivery of Dennis' advice is where the
appeal lies as he combines humor, unadulterated truths, logic and common
sense as well as faith in God to break down relationships to the reader.
There is something in his book for everyone regardless of relation-ship
type. Dennis tackles issues on women, men, dating and courtship, friendship,
children, marriage, success and happiness.
Dennis' ability to interest the reader, whether to
infuriate or to enlighten comes from the fact that he presents himself as
the average man. Through finding common ground with the reader, he is able
to prove to them that soundness in relationships is not alien to the common
man. He bares the soul of his marriage using his story of his "love affair"
with is wife, and the trials and joys of raising children as a narrative
tool for illustrating his messages.
Keeping his columns "real" have been simple for the "Love
Doctor", who never passes up the opportunity to write on an issue brought to
his attention by readers on the street. Using his life as a microscope, he
then takes the situation and uses it as a tool for instruction to bring
revelation to the reader about his or her particular plight.
Dennis reveals in the introduction about his open intimacy
with his wife saying that his wife's consent allows him to share their .life
experiences with the reader. "We would be failing the Master if we didn't
share with others just how well truth and love work as the basis for
treating one another," added Dennis.
The structure of the book takes the reader on a journey
from finding that special someone, to keeping the passion alive, to issues
with dating, to breaking the routine of marriage and keeping the love alive
while raising children.
He goes back to the early days of courting his wife who he
affectionately calls "Boo", teaching the young ladies and men how to make
their relationships work with such columns like Choosing a Mate, Becoming a
Couple and Courtship .:.or Let's Make a Deal. Dennis gives pointers for
those who are looking for the right mate and for those who are not so sure
if his or her current partner is compatible to them.
Dennis' takes no pains to sugar-coat what he thinks have
been many of the reasons why relation-ships have dissolved. Taking such bold
stands as cautioning women, who settle down after finding a partner, on
being responsible for killing the passion in a relation-ship. Standing by
the saying "whatever it took to catch a man, it will also take to keep him,"
Dennis points out that, "its hard to be romantic to curlers and flip flop
slippers."
Dennis also doesn't shy away from telling women that they
have to earn the right to be treat-ed as ladies and that by `drop-ping
hints" men cannot read their minds and other commonly used tactics that
bring about no change in the clueless partner. Not forgetting the men,
Dennis instructs them on how to be tender and sensitive to the emotional and
physical needs of their partners.
Seeing happiness as an investment, the
"Love Doctor" admits' to having learned, along the way all the tools to make
his life the joy it is today. Being in tune to his relationship, has allowed
him to avoid many of the mistakes, happening today between couples and in
homes. Dennis is ' adamant that what he shares with' his wife and children
can be a reality for his readers once they-." heed to the needs and demands
of their loved ones.
In his final selected column "Aging Gracefully", Dennis,
who, considers himself a "contributing elder", prides himself in being in a
position to impact his community through his opinons and experiences.
Dennis, whose success is not only measured by his career but by his family
life said, "I know that I am happy because I am loved, cared about and
respected by the people that I have loved, cared about and respected."
New Orleans Tribune
The following review of "His Way Works! was written by
Willmarine B. Hurst in the New Orleans Tribune, October/November 2003
Timely Advice for a Happy Life
For years Lloyd Dennis has been known as the "Love
Doctor," in print as well as on radio and television. His practical advice
has long been sought by the masses in New Orleans. So, why not put some of
these very relevant columns in a book for those who may not have saved the
columns and for others who haven't had an opportunity to receive the sage
witticism of the Love Doctor.
"His Way Works!" provides
"faith-based common sense insight about marriage, family, community and
career by a happily-married grandfather, columnist and businessman," says
the sub-heading of Lloyd Dennis' book. And when asked about his credentials
and/or degrees in the areas of counseling and advice giving, Dennis simply
states that, "my successes in life as a husband, father, grandfather and
business-man are my credentials. These are the things that make me qualified
to give advice."
A keen observer of human nature and how people react to
situations,
Dennis says that he observes life and studies people.
"People say that I'm a philosopher," he tells. He has found out over the
years that practical applications to life and living work. "All I have ever
tried to do was to point out ways to make lives better by making decisions
based on truth and love... obeying God, and doing things His way."
Getting it Right the first time Around
Dennis has been married to his high school sweetheart,
Anne (his "Boo") for over 30 years. The happy couple successfully owns and
operates their own business, have raised honor students and managed to
create an environment based on mutual love and respect for each other and
their fellow man. Dennis says he knows how to create a healthy marriage and
a long-term relationship. "Instant gratification doesn't make you happy," he
points out. Happiness is a personal thing-what your passion is, he tells. He
advises people not to buy in to what the marketplace of television,
radio and other mediums tell us about being happy and doing whatever pleases
you. "Being able to look in the mirror at day's end is all that really
counts," says Dennis.
The Dennises have created their own happiness. They are
recreational sailors, who enjoy organic gardening and bee keeping in their
backyard. Dennis says he tries to keep his relationship with his wife
interesting so that it does not become boring or stagnant. In his book, he
offers several areas of advice to keep the romance going.
Studying Life and How to Live
The advice that Dennis gives in his book is practical. He
says it comes from years of studying people, "noticing and understanding
things about people that most people don't see and rarely understand:" Some
might say that his advice is arrogant or presumptuous. `What gives him the
right to say
such things? Who does he think he is?' Well, in
column number 359, titled "Aging Gracefully," he addresses some of these
issues.
"I'm at an age and position in my community where my
opinions and experiences are sought out by those who are beginning their
independent adulthood. I have become a resource for others who see my life
as a guide for achieving happiness in marriage and family living, and I have
discovered that I can have a powerful influence over 15-, 16-, and
17-year-old men who have not had "good" men in their lives."
Dennis realizes his influence on others; however, he
doesn't paint himself as the perfect person. On the contrary, in another
column, aptly titled "Nobody's Perfect," Dennis points out that "None of us
is perfect (not even your Love Doctor), and therein lies one reason for many
bad moments in the love lives of even the most compatible of couples:"
And in a very honest, heart-warming piece titled "Pegs and
Holes," Dennis tells of the mistakes he made with his son-admitting to his
errors and even apologizing to his son for "having been blind to his talent
and not having done a better job helping him to develop his skill."
Dennis hopes that his book will make you laugh at yourself
and others and improve your personal outlook on life as you realize that
"faith is nothing more than the patient expectation that His Way Works!"
"...Order your copy today and renew your faith in the
positive things of life."
week.
